De La Cruz looked good against the Giants this year (I had De La Cruz mixed up with Edward Mujica), De La Cruz certainly fits the profile of hard throwing relievers that NPB teams seem to be targeting this offseason. You’d think that Yakult would be looking for him to step in to the shoes of the departing Ryota Igarasahi, but according to Sanspo they expect him to start.

As it turns out, I haven’t seen him pitch… but from what I read, he’s got a good arm with erratic command. So he could put things together and have a great year, like Brian Falkenborg, or struggle like Chris Resop.